Project Lifesaver

The Walnut Creek Police Department is proud to announce our involvement in Project Lifesaver. The Project Lifesaver program will be offered to Walnut Creek residents who are caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's, dementia, autism, or other cognitive conditions that make them likely to wander away from caregivers. 95% of Project Lifesaver participants who go missing are located in less than 30 minutes.

Citizens in the Walnut Creek community who meet eligibility requirements can be fitted with a band that would allow WCPD to track them should they become lost. Our Department is equipped with locating devices that utilize radio frequency waves to locate the transmitters that the program clients are issued.

Be diagnosed by a certified physician as having Alzheimer's, dementia, autism, Down's Syndrome, or a cognitive disorder where the victim has a tendency to wander

Have a full time caretaker (or parent/guardian)

Not have access to a vehicle and/or a valid Driver’s License

WCPD will give qualified enrollees a bracelet or ankle band containing a waterproof radio transmitter (pacemakers will not be affected by the equipment). Each citizen’s transmitter is assigned a unique radio frequency. The bracelets must be worn on the enrolled citizen’s wrist or ankle 24/7.

The cost to participate this program is $300.00 a year, and $25.00 each subsequent year. There is a limited number of partial to full sponsorships available on an as needed basis if financial hardship exists. The cost to participate solely goes to purchase equipment for the enrollee, no funding goes to Project Lifesaver or WCPD.

If a Project Lifesaver citizen goes missing, the caregiver should contact WCPD immediately. Trained WCPD personnel will respond to the missing person’s last seen location and begin searching for the individual using Project Lifesaver radio frequency tracking equipment.

Project Lifesaver is a completely voluntary program.

In order to participate in the program, caretakers must agree to assume the following responsibilities:

Test the client's radio transmitter battery daily

Check the condition of the bracelet daily

Maintain a monthly log sheet provided by WCPD

Notify WCPD’s Project Lifesaver Program Manager promptly if there is a problem with the equipment

Immediately call 911 if a Project Lifesaver enrollee goes missing

Should you have any questions pertaining to the program, please call 925-256-3583 or email Program Manager Lauren Gehring at Gehring@walnutcreekpd.com.